Spanish

The mission of the Spanish program is to prepare our majors and minors for their professional careers through a variety of courses in which they study and learn about the Spanish language, culture, and literature, so they become active participants in their communities, innovative and ethical professionals who contribute to the development of a more inclusive society, in terms of cultural, linguistic, and intellectual diversity. Students in our program are introduced to an enriching and challenging intellectual and cultural life by exposing them to guest lectures, colloquia, poetry and narrative readings, film festivals, museum trips, and student writing contests. Furthermore, our program aims to provide students with a comparative element that will enable them to improve communication skills in their own language. In order to accomplish our educational goals, a rigorous academic orientation is provided to each student.

Program Goals

1. Learn the origin of the Spanish language, its evolution, and linguistic and cultural diversity throughout the centuries.

2. Demonstrate oral and written understanding of what literature is; write about it and relate studied literary works to their socio-political and cultural context.

3. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of the Spanish Language through analyses of the orthography, morphology, and syntax used in a variety of Spanish texts and popular culture.

4. Develop writing and oral communication skills.

5. Attain information literacy skills relevant to the discipline.
   

The Spanish Discipline offers a two-track sequence of three courses at the intermediate level, one for native speakers of Spanish and one for non-native speakers of Spanish. The goal of this sequence (Spanish 103 and 104 for bilingual students; and 105) is to provide students with the instruction and practice they require in order to be successful in Spanish 106 and the advanced courses, where native speakers and non-native speakers will study together. Placement in the appropriate course level and track will be determined by the Discipline through its placement procedures.

The Spanish major has been designed to reflect recent literary scholarship. Our program prepares students for graduate school as well and for various careers. Students may prepare for careers in Childhood Education 1-6 with Bilingual Extension; and Adolescence Education 7-12. Spanish majors can also design a program that will allow them to pursue careers in public service and business.

Students exempted (0 credits) from taking foreign language requirements are recommended to take Spanish electives (200 level or above, minor or Liberal Arts electives).